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Fresh Pick of the Week for October 31 through November 6, 2015

Certified Farmers Market Fresh Pick of the Week: Marigolds!

Colorful locally-grown Marigolds are this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week from the Certified Farmers’ Markets. Marigolds are deeply rooted in the traditions of Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), and are often sprinkled on Day of the Dead altars, as well as on graves on October 31st, November 1st and November 2nd.

Celebrants of Dia de los Muertos believe the strong scent of Marigolds draw the spirits of loved ones home for the annual Dia de los Muertos reunion. Arriaga Farms grows large numbers of large yellow and orange Marigolds each year, especially when Dia de los Muertos approaches.

DID YOU KNOW: Marigolds are native to North and South America, but have become naturalized around the world. The scented varieties are loved by gardeners because they drive off many unwanted insects.

Palm Desert EVENING Market: NEW HOURS in Palm Desert only (4pm to 8pm). The Market is held each Wednesday at 72-559 Highway 111 (adjacent to the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce).

Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market: The Market is held each Saturday morning from 8am to 12:30pm at 2300 Baristo Rd. (adjacent to The Camelot Theatres)

La Quinta Certified Farmers’ Market: The Market is held held each Sunday morning from 8am to 12:30pm in Old Town La Quinta at 78100 Main Street (off Calle Tampico).

The Certified Farmers’ Markets are the Coachella Valley’s only State and County Certified Farmers’ Markets. That means all the fruits, vegetables, meats and other products that are on sale at the markets have been grown on California Certified farms. In addition, almost all the farms are located within a 90 mile radius of the markets (thus reducing the carbon footprint), and many of the products sold are “USDA Certified Organic.”

All Certified Farmers’ Markets accept CalFresh EBT Cards, WIC Farmers’ Market Checks, and Senior Farmers’ Market Checks. The Markets also offer Market Bucks that can be purchased using charge cards or cash, then used at the market for purchases.

The Certified Farmers Markets are sponsored by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which was established to encourage the development of the cultural arts in the Coachella Valley with a specific focus in the areas of film, fine art, live performance, dance, music, and community festivals. The Center is dedicated to advancing education, to nurturing community-wide participation in the cultural arts, and to sponsoring scholarship awards for deserving individuals.

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FRESH PICK OF THE WEEK! Cherries! What a great way to celebrate the turning of the season with this delicious- pop in your mouth- juice snack! Great early varieties available now at our Certified Farmers' Market! #certifiedfresh

Meet Johanna Roberts, our new Community Nutrition Intern! Johanna is studying to become a registered dietician, but her path has joined ours for the summer. She'll help us develop outreach programming to make your Market visits more meaningful and delicious. Today she's chatting with new and expectant parents here at the Certified Farmers' Market inside the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert...Sundays until 1:30 p.m.!